Visit Sarasota Florida for its “Beaches and Beyond!”

The word is out about Sarasota, Florida, and other communities within Sarasota County! Its 40 miles of gorgeous Gulf of Mexico coastline and  barrier islands or “keys” — Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Casey Key and Manasota Key — have been recognized again and again.

Recent Honors and Accolades:

• Sarasota was chosen as one of TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places of 2021.
• Sarasota also made Travel & Leisure’s list of 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida and was also named to The Best U.S. Beach Towns to Live In.
• Sarasota was included among U.S. News and World Report’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2022-2023.
• Siesta Beach has consistently ranked among Top Ten best beaches in the U.S. It was named best beach in America twice by Dr. Beach (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman). TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice™ Awards ranked it #1 in the U.S. and #11 in the world.

 

Sarasota County’s Beaches

The map above gives you a feel for where Sarasota County’s beaches are located.

Longboat Key, northernmost barrier island in Sarasota, is unique in that the northern half is part of Manatee County while the southern half is part of Sarasota County. It has 12 miles of coastline and is home to a championship golf course and tennis club.

Siesta Key is the best known of Sarasota’s barrier islands, and, as mentioned above, its beach has been recognized as a “best beach” in America by both Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor. As a sand collector (see my post, “How I display my sand collection and shells”), I can appreciate how special the sand is here and on other nearby beaches. Siesta’s sand is very white and comprised of fine quartz crystals.

Lido Key is the one beach we were able to visit during my recent visit with other travel writers. After touring Lido Beach Resort, we spent some time “chillaxing” under beach umbrellas on a stretch of sand behind the resort. I did a little shelling there, too!       (See SLIDESHOW below – NOTE: I’ve included a lot of SLIDESHOWS throughout this post in order to easily share more photos of this amazing destination. To view a photo for a longer time, just hit pause, then play, to continue scrolling through them. Enjoy!)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Casey Key is known for its million-dollar plus homes (including one owned by author Stephen King). Sarasota’s oldest public beach is at the southern end. The family-friendly Nokomis Beach has a covered pavilion for picnics.

Venice Beach is next on the Gulf coast, but unlike the others, it’s not a barrier island.

Venice has gained a reputation as “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” as hunting for fossilized shark teeth has become a popular pasttime here. I have this high on my bucket list for a future trip to the area!

Manasota Key, the most secluded with an “old Florida” feel, is a great fit for nature lovers. Its four beaches include Manasota Beach, Blind Pass Beach, Englewood Beach, and Stump Pass Beach, which is also a state park

Sarasota Beyond the Beach: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Although Sarasota’s beaches are often the primary reason travelers flock to this part of Florida’s Gulf Coast, there is a lot to discover beyond the beach! Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is one of those must-see attractions, and as a SCUBA diver, snorkeler, and lover of all things related to the sea, I was thrilled that we were able to include it in our itinerary.

Mote Marine Laboratory has been located on City Island, Sarasota, since 1978, after starting out in 1954 in a one-room Lab. It’s one of the world’s few remaining independent marine research laboratories, with field stations in eastern Sarasota County and the Florida Keys. I was able to observe Mote scientists at work several years ago in Key West as they were undertaking a coral restoration project. Even though I was somewhat familiar with the work they do, I was even more impressed after our visit. I’d recommend spending at least half a day here to take it all in.

I always enjoy observing tropical fish (porcupinefish, also called pufferfish, are one of my favorites) and whenever I see an octopus, I am mesmerized.

SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Check out Mote’s 135,000-gallon shark habitat, and don’t miss meeting the two manatees that have been at Mote since 1996. (Watch for a separate post on Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in the future, as part of my Indoor Oceans series, which features Aquariums I’ve visited in the past.)

Sarasota Beyond the Beach: Siesta Key Rum

One of the first experiences we were treated to during our time in Sarasota was touring a local distillery — Siesta Key Rum. Founded in 2007 by Troy Roberts, award winning, hand-crafted, small batch rums have been produced here since 2010.

It was interesting to learn all that goes into producing rum. A key to its success is, no doubt, the decision to use no manmade liquid flavorings, sometimes called “natural flavors.” Siesta Key infuses real food ingredients into the rum. Toasted coconut, Coffee, Silver, and Distiller’s Reserve are other varieties produced, along with Beer Barrel Reserve. It’s aged in used craft beer barrels in limited quantities that sell out quickly. Four of its rums are now available for purchase in 28 states.

What’s your favorite rum drink? Pina colada, Daiquiri, Mojito, Mai Tai, Dark ‘n Stormy, and Planter’s Punch are some traditional favorites. We were offered samples of the Sarasota Mai Tai (pictured at left). The recipe includes: 1.5 oz. Siesta Key Spiced Rum, .5 oz. Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum. 3 oz. Pineapple Juice, 2 oz. Orange Juice, 1 t. Grenadine, .5 oz Orgeat (an almond syrup). Shake and serve over ice.

Expand your cocktail menu with these recipes from Siesta Key Rum: https://www.siestakeyrum.com/cocktails

Siesta Key’s Spiced Rum was awarded Best Spiced Rum of the Year by Caribbean Journal six years running (2012-2017), which called it “the best rum distillery in the United States.”

SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After our tour, we were invited into the tasting room to sample the rums. My personal favorite was the Coffee Rum. Take a free tour then stay for a tasting!

Sarasota Beyond the Beach: Food and Drink

Before arriving in Sarasota, my travel companions and I had attended a conference of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association in St. Petersburg. To indulge our culinary interests, our Visit Sarasota hosts made sure we sampled a variety of great dining destinations in the area. Of course, in a few days, we could only scratch the surface of what is emerging as a foodie destination in the Sunshine State.

Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.

Lunch at Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood in downtown Sarasota was our first stop. We were more than ready to sample the fresh, local seafood Duval’s is known for. It has been voted by Herald Tribune readers as Sarasota’s Best Seafood restaurant six years in a row. I’d love to return for an evening meal.

Element: Steak. Seafood. Pasta.

Our first evening meal was at another fabulous downtown dining destination — Element: Steak. Seafood. Pasta. You can choose to dine indoors, or on the outdoor terrace. It has received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its extensive wine list, and periodically offers 4-course wine dinners. I loved my linguine and shrimp dish! (If shrimp & grits sounds good for dinner tonight, you can watch Executive Chef Nils show you how on YouTube.)

SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Crab & Fin

Crab & Fin, located in St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota’s prime shopping district, will celebrate its 45^th anniversary in 2023. With fish arriving daily by air and cut from whole fish, Crab & Fin promotes seafood offerings from around the world, as well as from local waters. We sampled oysters, crab, and tuna in various preparations while there for a luncheon feast!

SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ophelia’s on the Bay

Ophelia’s on the Bay was the perfect choice for our final evening meal. Its setting on Little Sarasota Bay and the creative, ever-changing menu items have earned it multiple awards, including best waterfront restaurant, most romantic, best outdoor, and most creative menus. Request a table on the patio when weather permits. Even though we were seated indoors, we ventured outdoors to take photos of the view.

As we were looking over the evening’s menu offerings, we were treated to a special cocktail made with gin called a Hibiscus Bee’s Knees. So unusual and very tasty! I chose mussels as an appetizer (shared with others at the table) and a grouper entrée that was perfectly prepared. Others chose scallops, duck, tuna, and salmon. You can peruse the menu here for full descriptions of the current offerings, including amazing desserts.

SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

99 Bottles Tap Room and Bottle Shop

Even though many visitors to 99 Bottles Tap Room and Bottle Shop may come to taste one (or more) of the craft beers it stocks from throughout the world, I found a large selection of wines, too! Since I’m not a beer lover, I was pleasantly surprised with the wine list selections. Beer lovers can build a flight or go for a full size pour. There’s also a small but satisfying food menu. The night we were there, a group was enjoying a rousing game of Beer Bingo, which I found out is a regular Wednesday night activity, with prizes awarded after every round.  SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Rise Up Cafe

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Don’t miss stopping for a coffee, ice cream, or snack at Rise Up Cafe in downtown Sarasota. (Check out the menu here.) As described, it’s an “amazing coffee and ice cream shop run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Beaver Shriver (nephew of Eunice Kennedy Shriver) founded the company in 2020, and he invites everyone to join the “inclusion revolution.” (Note: Rise Up Cafe was recently renamed and rebranded from Rise & Nye’s to Rise Up Cafe. The slideshow photos will be replaced soon.)

Toasted Mango Café

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We were treated to breakfast at the award-winning “hole in the wall” breakfast/lunch spot, Toasted Mango Café. If you’re into mangoes (as I am), choose from mango waffles (named best waffle dish in Florida by Food Network) or French toast. How about a Mango Mimosa or Margarita? They’ve got those, too. Even if you’re not a mango fan, the extensive menu is sure to have something to please your palate.

Sarasota Beyond the Beach: Where We Stayed

We were based at Sarasota’s Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, in the heart of downtown Sarasota. It was completed in 2018 with 160 rooms and two suites. This was my first time to stay at an Autograph Collection hotel, one of a group of 200 independent hotels worldwide that are a part of Marriott Bonvoy. SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Art and music are woven into every aspect of the hotel’s décor and guest amenities. I was surprised to find a ukulele in my room, as well as a sketchbook and colored pencils! Guests can use complimentary bicycles and a shuttle (within 3 mi) to Downtown Sarasota, St. Armand’s Circle, and Lido Beach. Contemporary art is displayed throughout the hallways and interior spaces. Art pieces and sidewalk murals can be found outside, too. Lobby entertainment in the evenings might include a singer belting out the “old standards” or an artist painting on site as guests look on.

We checked out the Rooftop Pool Bar but didn’t have time to enjoy the pool. Nighttime views from this vantage point are not to be missed.

Sarasota Beyond the Beach: Bayfront Park and Marina

From Art Ovation Hotel, I took a short morning stroll to Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and Marina. It’s a pet-friendly area where you can walk, jog, ride bicycles, or walk to O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill to take in the views over lunch or drinks.While walking back, I came across a large, 25-foot-tall statue showing a sailor kissing a nurse. It is based on the iconic “V-J Day in Times Square” photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt. It’s called “Unconditional Surrender” and is one of a series of computer-generated aluminum sculptures by artist Seward Johnson, grandson of Robert Wood Johnson who was a co-founder of Johnson & Johnson. It first came to Sarasota as a temporary exhibit in 2005. It then was bought by Jack Curran and donated to the city in his wife’s memory.

Sarasota Beyond the Beach Art and Culture

Beyond its beaches, Sarasota is a virtual Mecca of art and culture in both the performing and visual arts. It was eye-opening to discover that Sarasota is home to the only professional ballet company on the Gulf Coast, the longest continuing symphony orchestra in the state, and home to several theatre companies. On the top of my list for a future visit is The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, which also includes a Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan, the estate of circus entrepreneur John and Mable Ringling. I know I could easily spend a whole day there!

In the short time we had, we were able to tour the Sarasota Opera, now in its 64th season. Since 1984, it has been housed in the former A.B. Edwards Theater in downtown Sarasota, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Between 1989 and 2016, the Sarasota Opera performed all the music of Giuseppe Verdi, the only opera company in the world to have achieved this distinction. If you are planning to be in the area, you may be able to take in a performance by checking the Calendar of Events.

For a final taste of culture before heading to the airport, we stopped by the Sarasota Art Museum, for a quick tour of the region’s first museum dedicated to contemporary art. The building that formerly housed Sarasota High School was transformed into exhibit space as a partnership with Ringling College of Art + Design. It opened in late 2019.. Stay for a farm-to-table lunch in the Bistro.   SLIDESHOW:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Sarasota may be known for its beaches, but as you can see, all the area has to offer is way beyond the beach! And I’m so happy that Sarasota was not seriously affected by Hurricane Ian, which moved through Florida’s Gulf Coast the week after I was there.

 

All photos © Debbra Dunning Brouillette unless otherwise credited.

Thank you to Visit Sarasota for hosting me and my fellow travel writers, all members of the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association.